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something that Martha had told me； about these same fellows doing
〃a power o' good；〃 and other hints I had collected vaguely； of
renouncements； rules； self…denials； and the like。 Thereupon； out
of the depths of my morbid soul swam up a new and fascinating
idea； and at once the career of arms seemed over…acted and stale；
and piracy； as a profession； flat and unprofitable。 This； then；
or something like it； should be my vocation and my revenge。
A severer line of business； perhaps； such as I had read of；
something that included black bread and a hair…shirt。 There
should be vows； tooirrevocable； blood curdling vows； and an
iron grating。 This iron grating was the most necessary feature
of all； for I intended that on the other side of it my relations
should range themselvesI mentally ran over the catalogue； and
saw that the whole gang was present； all in their proper places
a sad…eyed row； combined in tristful appeal。 〃We see our error
now；〃 they would say； 〃we were always dull dogs； slow to catch
especially in those akin to usthe finer qualities of soul！ We
misunderstood you； misappreciated you； and we own up to it。 And
now〃 〃Alas； my dear friends；〃 I would strike in here； waving
towards them an ascetic handone of the emaciated sort； that
lets the light shine through at the finger…tips〃Alas； you
come too late！ This conduct is fitting and meritorious on your
part； and indeed I always expected it of you； sooner or later；
but the die is cast； and you may go home again and bewail at your
leisure this too tardy repentance of yours。 For me； I am vowed
and dedicated； and my relations henceforth are austerity and holy
works。 Once a month； should you wish it； it shall be your
privilege to come and gaze at me through this very solid grating；
but〃 WHACK！
A well…aimed clod of garden soil； whizzing just past my ear；
starred on a tree…trunk behind； spattering me with dirt。 The
present came back to me in a flash； and I nimbly took cover
behind the trees； realising that the enemy was up and abroad；
with ambuscades； alarms； and thrilling sallies。 It was the
gardener's boy； I knew well enough； a red proletariat； who hated
me just because I was a gentleman。 Hastily picking up a nice
sticky clod in one hand； with the other I delicately projected my
hat beyond the shelter of the tree…trunk。 I had not fought with
Red…skins all these years for nothing。
As I had expected； another clod； of the first class for size and
stickiness； took my poor hat full in the centre。 Then； Ajax…
like； shouting terribly； I issued from shelter and discharged my
ammunition。 Woe then for the gardener's boy； who； unprepared；
skipping in premature triumph； took the clod full in his stomach！
He； the foolish one； witless on whose side the gods were fighting
that day； discharged yet other missiles； wavering and wide of the
mark； for his wind had been taken with the first clod； and he
shot wildly； as one already desperate and in flight。 I got
another clod in at short range； we clinched on the brow of the
hill； and rolled down to the bottom together。 When he had
shaken himself free and regained his legs； he trotted smartly off
in the direction of his mother's cottage； but over his shoulder
he discharged at me both imprecation and deprecation； menace
mixed up with an under…current of tears。
But as for me； I made off smartly for the road； my frame
tingling； my head high； with never a backward look at the
Settlement of suggestive aspect； or at my well…planned future
which lay in fragments around it。 Life had its jollities； then；
life was action； contest； victory！ The present was rosy once
more； surprises lurked on every side； and I was beginning to feel
villainously hungry。
Just as I gained the road a cart came rattling by； and I rushed
for it； caught the chain that hung below； and swung thrillingly
between the dizzy wheels； choked and blinded with delicious…
smelling dust； the world slipping by me like a streaky ribbon
below； till the driver licked at me with his whip； and I had to
descend to earth again。 Abandoning the beaten track； I then
struck homewards through the fields； not that the way was very
much shorter； but rather because on that route one avoided the
bridge； and had to splash through the stream and get refreshingly
wet。 Bridges were made for narrow folk； for people with aims and
vocations which compelled abandonment of many of life's highest
pleasures。 Truly wise men called on each element alike to
minister to their joy； and while the touch of sun…bathed air； the
fragrance of garden soil； the ductible qualities of mud； and the
spark…whirling rapture of playing with fire； had each their
special charm； they did not overlook the bliss of getting their
feet wet。 As I came forth on the common Harold broke out of an
adjoining copse and ran to meet me； the morning rain…clouds
all blown away from his face。 He had made a new squirrel…stick；
it seemed。 Made it all himself； melted the lead and everything！
I examined the instrument critically； and pronounced it
absolutely magnificent。 As we passed in at our gate the girls
were distantly visible； gardening with a zeal in cheerful
contrast to their heartsick lassitude of the morning。 〃There's
bin another letter come to…day；〃 Harold explained； 〃and the
hamper got joggled about on the journey； and the presents worked
down into the straw and all over the place。 One of 'em turned
up inside the cold duck。 And that's why they weren't found at
first。 And Edward said； Thanks AWFULLY〃
I did not see Martha again until we were all re…assembled at tea…
time； when she seemed red…eyed and strangely silent； neither
scolding nor finding fault with anything。 Instead； she was very
kind and thoughtful with jams and things； feverishly pressing
unwonted delicacies on us； who wanted little pressing enough。
Then suddenly； when I was busiest； she disappeared； and Charlotte
whispered me presently that she had heard her go to her room and
lock herself in。 This struck me as a funny sort of
proceeding。
MUTABILE SEMPER
She stood on the other side of the garden fence； and regarded me
gravely as I came down the road。 Then she said； 〃Hi…o！〃 and I
responded； 〃Hullo！〃 and pulled up somewhat nervously。
To tell the truth； the encounter was not entirely unexpected on
my part。 The previous Sunday I had seen her in church； and after
service it had transpired who she was； this new…comer； and what
aunt she was staying with。 That morning a volunteer had been
called for； to take a note to the Parsonage； and rather to my own
surprise I had found myself stepping forward with alacrity； while
the others had become suddenly absorbed in various pursuits；
or had sneaked unobtrusively out of view。 Certainly I had not
yet formed any deliberate plan of action； yet I suppose I
recollected that the road to the Parsonage led past her aunt's
garden。
She began the conversa